Elected officials are an active community partner in economic development. This guide provides a step-by-step process for registration, as well as the website URLs and contact information you will need.

How to Register to Run for an Elected Position

1. Confirm Eligibility - When deciding what elected position you would like to run for, you must first confirm your qualifications and be able to pay the filing fee. A full list of offices, qualifications, and filing fees are available here.
2. Complete KY Registry of Election Finance (KREF) - This is where you list the amount of money you plan to spend on your campaign. There are two different welcome packets; one for those planning to raise or spend less than $3,000, and one for more than $3,000. *As of 2020, this registration must be completed online. It must also be printed & submitted with the form below.
   1. Step by step instructions to file electronically - click here
   2. Here is a list of forms to welcome candidates & aide in your registration decisions - select "Candidates" https://kref.ky.gov/Pages/Forms.aspx
   3. If you have questions while registering - call 502.573.2226
3. Select Your Office & Complete Registration - There are multiple offices available to run for. Each has a specific form that needs to be filed. Download and complete the registration file.
   1. Visit https://elect.ky.gov
   2. Click "Becoming a Candidate"
   3. Click "Candidate Filing Forms"
   4. Click "Continue"
   5. Click "I am interested in information regarding "Filing for an elected office""
   6. Choose your position... i.e. Mayor, Judge, Sheriff, etc.
4. Submit your registration at identified location - Each registration has a submission location listed on the document. Most need to be printed (along with your KREF) and submitted.

How to Register to Run for City Council

1. Determine what Ward you live in - This is the only Ward you are eligible to run in.
2. Complete KY Registry of Election Finance (KREF) form - *This is where you list the amount of money you plan to spend on your campaign. 
   1. Step by step instructions to file electronically - click here 
   2. Here is a list of forms to welcome candidates & aid in your registration decisions - select "Candidates" 
   3. If you have questions while registering, call 502.573.2226
3. Download the correct form
   1. Go to KY Secretary of State - here 
   2. Click "Continue" 
   3. Click I am interested in information regarding: "Filing for an elected office" 
   4. I want filing forms for "City Legislative Body" (this means City Council) 
   5. This filing is for a: "Nonpartisan not waiving primary" 
   6. Click to download or direct link at https://web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilingDocuments/Citylegislative_NonPartisan.pdf
4. Complete the form - Example: For Completing the Nominating Petition form for the 2022 election in Somerset/Pulaski County -
   1. 'To "Linda Burnett" Commonwealth of KY, "Pulaski" County:' 
   2. The date is 'to be held on "May 17, 2022" (if there are less than 3 candidates registering for office, you will automatically move to the Nov. ballot) 
   3. ...'The candidate for the office of "Somerset City Council" district "Ward XX" (the number of the ward you live in) 
   4. You need 2 witnesses that live within your Ward to be petitioners on your form.
5. Finalize Registration
   1. Print forms (Nominating Petition and KREF) 
   2. Have your petitioners and yourself sign the Nominating Petition form
6. Submit Forms
   1. Take printed Nominating Petition and KREF forms to your County Clerk's office: Election Department 
   2. Pay $50 registration fee
7. Celebrate! You are officially running for City Council!